Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan Shines with a Stellar Performance Against Rajasthan Royals

Match Highlights: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals

Ahmedabad: In a thrilling IPL encounter, Sai Sudharsan showcased his exceptional form, scoring a brilliant half-century as the Gujarat Titans set a formidable target of 217 runs against the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.

Sudharsan displayed remarkable skill, perfectly timing his shots. He amassed 82 runs off 53 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, marking his third fifty of the season.

Jofra Archer, who had struggled earlier in the tournament, made a strong comeback, taking 1 wicket for 30 runs. He clocked speeds of up to 152.3 kph with the new ball and dismissed Shubman Gill (2) with a fast inswinger that crashed into the stumps.

Archer then tested Jos Buttler (36) with a bouncer, but the former England captain responded with a well-placed four to the deep-cover boundary.

With Sudharsan leading the charge, Buttler also found his rhythm, hitting consecutive boundaries off Fazalhaq Farooqi (0/38) in the seventh over.

In the following over, Buttler sliced Maheesh Theekshana (2/54) for a four and lofted another ball straight for another boundary.

However, Theekshana eventually got the better of Buttler, trapping him leg before wicket and ending their 80-run partnership.

Rajasthan's captain Sanju Samson quickly brought Archer back to control the run rate, and the pacer delivered with an economical over.

Shahrukh Khan (36 off 20) then ignited the innings with a flurry of boundaries, including a powerful shot over deep extra cover.

The Titans continued to score freely, with Shahrukh targeting Theekshana for 16 runs in one over.

The Royals fought back by taking two quick wickets, dismissing Shahrukh and Sherfane Rutherford (7) to regain some control.

Sudharsan was given a lifeline at 81 but could not capitalize, as Tushar Deshpande caught a thin edge to send him back to the pavilion.